Atimpoku (Eastern Region), 24th May '99 -

Mr Bar Ngo, a principal economist at the macroeconomic unit of the African Department of the World Bank, has praised Ghana for her sound political and socio-economic structures.

He said these structures had enabled Ghana to reassert her position as the gateway to Africa's development growth and emancipation.

The World Bank economist made this observation when he accompanied a seven member joint Guinea-Burkina Faso delegation recently to the Asuogyaman district at Atimpoku to study the country's decentralisation programme.

Ghana's decentralisation programme has not only ensured the active participation of the populace in the decision-making process. It has also"stood the test of time" to the admiration of the rest of the world, Mr Ngo said.

The delegation, made up of top policy makers in the two countries gathered first hand information on revenue generation at the local level, budget formation, development planning and accounting, and fund release procedures.

Mr Ngo stated that the development of Ghana is crucial to the rest of the sub-continent, and must share experiences with neighbours.

In a welcoming address, Mr Emmanuel Dwamena-Bekoe, Asuogyaman District Chief Executive (DCE), noted that the present political dispensation had not only ensured rapid development for the majority of the populace but had also helped stabilise the economic growth of the country.

Mr Dwamena-Bekoe noted that the decentralisation policy has helped to set up economic activities at all levels.

Mr El Madj Sow, a senior adviser to the Guinean Minister of Planning, expressed appreciation to the Asuogyaman district assembly for the interaction.

He hoped that the experiences they had gathered would help in streamlining their local government structures to meet global demands.

GRi?/